Although the Chicago White Sox are currently in fourth place in the American League Central, their fans can rest easy knowing that the franchise has a great future ahead of them.

Heading into the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Tuesday, rookie slugger José Abreu is having one of the greatest rookie seasons in Major League Baseball history, and is on pace to break a few records as well.

The 27-year-old Abreu has a league-leading 29 home runs through his first 82 games. For most players, hitting 29 home runs in a season is a good year. For a rookie, that's a remarkable achievement and we still have more than 60 games remaining. The record for most home runs hit by a rookie is 49, by Mark McGwire in 1987.

Keep in mind that José Abreu missed 15 games because of an ankle injury. He would return by hitting a home run off of one of the best pitchers in baseball, Clayton Kershaw. This was one of his best home runs hit.

Slugging percentage has always been the biggest statistical indicator of power hitting. So far, Abreu's slugging percentage is a league-leading .630. It's amazing that a rookie is leading the majors in both home runs and slugging percentage. The highest recorded slugging percentage by a rookie is .634, by Ryan Braun in 2007. Braun would later be found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs as was McGwire.

Abreu has also been driving runs in at a high rate. While it's unlikely he will break Ted Williams' rookie mark set in 1939 with 145, he may give it a run for its money. Abreu has 73 RBIs and needs 72 more in the final 66 games. It's not an impossible feat, but a very difficult task.

With New York Yankees pitcher Masahiro Tanaka out for at least the next six weeks, Abreu becomes the easy front runner for the American League Rookie of the Year.

Abreu is everything that American League viewers love to watch. High power, lots of home runs and strikeouts. Even though he does lead the majors in home runs hit, slugging percentage and is third in RBIs, he has struck out 82 times and is batting below .300. Because of his enormous power-hitting, large body and risky swings, he has been referred to as "the Cuban Babe Ruth."

The annual MLB Home Run Derby will be underway Monday night, and unfortunately for fans, Abreu will not be competing. He (like many others) fears it could alter his swing. There is good news for the fans who voted him in, however: He will be playing in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. It has also been reported that his parents will be attending the game as well.

Last October, the White Sox and Abreu agreed to a six-year, $68 million contract. In the beginning, many White Sox fans thought it was too much for a player who never played in the majors. But now, that signing is looking like a huge bargain for the White Sox. If the White Sox can turn things around and make the playoffs, Abreu may get Rookie of the Year and the AL MVP.

That wouldn't be a bad way to make a good first impression, would it?